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David McK (3496 KP) rated The Rebel Killer in Books
Mar 21, 2019
The latest (at the time of reviewing) of Paul Fraser Collard's Jack Lark series, which I see is still being advertised as 'Sharpe meets The Talented Mt Ripley': while that may have been true of the early novels, I feel - now - that Jack Lark has more of his own identity.
Which is, perhaps, ironic in a series where the central conceit is the main character is an imposter.
In this one Jack is not the only imposter: without giving away too much, he sets himself on a trail of revenge whilst wearing the uniform of a Confederate Officer (as opposed to that of a Union officer he wore in the last novel) during the American Civil War. I say wearing, as that is all it really is to him: simply a means towards an end.
Culminating in the battle of Shiloh, Jack definitely seems to have a knack for finding himself caught up in all the great military happenings of his time!
Which is, perhaps, ironic in a series where the central conceit is the main character is an imposter.
In this one Jack is not the only imposter: without giving away too much, he sets himself on a trail of revenge whilst wearing the uniform of a Confederate Officer (as opposed to that of a Union officer he wore in the last novel) during the American Civil War. I say wearing, as that is all it really is to him: simply a means towards an end.
Culminating in the battle of Shiloh, Jack definitely seems to have a knack for finding himself caught up in all the great military happenings of his time!
ClareR (5784 KP) rated Ancillary Justice in Books
Apr 2, 2019
This is everything about Science Fiction that I love: something totally original, something that I could never imagine on my own, and I’m just grateful that someone else has put this something in to book form! Saying that, I did listen to this on Audible (and the narrator, Adjoah Andoh, is fast becoming one of my favourite narrators), which is a much slower process for me to get through a book. But I’ve learnt that it’s well worth the commitment. Oh, and I can pretend I’m NOT cooking dinner or vacuuming.
Justice of Torrin was a ship whose consciousness was shared between many Auxiliaries - human, and potentially other, life forms. However, Breq is the only one of those life forms left, and Justice of Torrin has been destroyed. And they’re out for revenge.
There are so many twists and turns to this, and I loved it. I’ll be looking out for the second book, that’s for sure!
Justice of Torrin was a ship whose consciousness was shared between many Auxiliaries - human, and potentially other, life forms. However, Breq is the only one of those life forms left, and Justice of Torrin has been destroyed. And they’re out for revenge.
There are so many twists and turns to this, and I loved it. I’ll be looking out for the second book, that’s for sure!
Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated The Blind Assassin in Books
Mar 4, 2018
Novel within a novel with great twists
Once again, literary maestro Margaret Atwood has produced another creative mega-feat. Her novel in a novel reminds me of her other work Hagseed, also exploring the theme of revenge.
However, there is very little to laugh about in this story in which narrator Iris, at the end of her life, describes the mysterious circumstances that her sister, husband and lover all died in. Younger sibling Laura is said to have been killed after her car edged off a cliff, all the while leaving the world with a controversial novel that describes a racy affair.
Iris reveals the truth about the incidents from her perspective, which means we always see Laura as child-like and naive, while her husband Richard and his sister Winifred are portrayed as cardboard villains. With that in mind, Atwood's characters are realistic because they are all just points of view from one person. Great twists in this book.
However, there is very little to laugh about in this story in which narrator Iris, at the end of her life, describes the mysterious circumstances that her sister, husband and lover all died in. Younger sibling Laura is said to have been killed after her car edged off a cliff, all the while leaving the world with a controversial novel that describes a racy affair.
Iris reveals the truth about the incidents from her perspective, which means we always see Laura as child-like and naive, while her husband Richard and his sister Winifred are portrayed as cardboard villains. With that in mind, Atwood's characters are realistic because they are all just points of view from one person. Great twists in this book.
Beatriz (138 KP) rated Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) in Movies
Dec 9, 2018
Super talented actors (2 more)
Beautiful songs
good story
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd: the demon barber of Fleet Street it’s a musical by Tim Burton with Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs Lovett and Sasha Baron Cohen as Signor Pirelli and Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin.
The story is about Benjamin Barker ( later known as Sweeney Todd), a barber, that had a wife and child. And he was taken away from them because this Judge fancied Benjamin’s wife. He comes back to London to see his wife again after years until he meets Mrs Lovett who tells him she poisoned herself and that Judge Turpin has his daughter as his ward. So Sweeney Todd plans his revenge with Mrs Lovett.
I’ve watched this film more than 10 times and I love it still.
The film is all in shades or browns, greys and reds and the voice choices are marvellous.
The story is about Benjamin Barker ( later known as Sweeney Todd), a barber, that had a wife and child. And he was taken away from them because this Judge fancied Benjamin’s wife. He comes back to London to see his wife again after years until he meets Mrs Lovett who tells him she poisoned herself and that Judge Turpin has his daughter as his ward. So Sweeney Todd plans his revenge with Mrs Lovett.
I’ve watched this film more than 10 times and I love it still.
The film is all in shades or browns, greys and reds and the voice choices are marvellous.
Britt (2 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) in Movies
Nov 15, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is a great sequel to the first John Wick. After following him take revenge and being left without him getting his car this movie did not disappoint. There is a further insight into the world of assassins. Getting to see the expansion to another country gives us a good idea of how far this world of assassins actually expands. There is also a better understanding of the codes and ethics between each person in this world.
One thing that jumps out at me is that no one can truly leave. There will always be a connection that keeps them coming back even though no one can be trusted. Friends and caring relationships do not exist in this world but beneficial relationships can work temporarily.
This action packed gore fest pulls you through several gun fights that are not boring. You get pulled through several fast paced scenes that explain more to you than ever before.
One thing that jumps out at me is that no one can truly leave. There will always be a connection that keeps them coming back even though no one can be trusted. Friends and caring relationships do not exist in this world but beneficial relationships can work temporarily.
This action packed gore fest pulls you through several gun fights that are not boring. You get pulled through several fast paced scenes that explain more to you than ever before.
Merissa (12363 KP) rated Tigana in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Another stunner of a book by GGK although this one is a stand alone book and is based loosely on Italy in the 11th and 12th centuries.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.
David McK (3496 KP) rated Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This is now part of the Star Wars 'Legend's (i.e. non-canon stories) following Marvel's acquisition of Lucasfilm; however - in many respects - I also feel that this is/was a strong candidate for remaining as part of the lore (or, like Grand Admiral Thrawn, being integrated into it).
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Expendables 3 (2014) in Movies
Nov 22, 2019
Mumble Mumble Mumble Part 3
PG-13, PG-13, PG-13!!!!!! Why 😓 , why couldnt this one be rating R like the other ones, i just dont understand.
The Plot: Mercenary leader Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the Expendables team reunite when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) hires them for a seemingly easy job. But things go terribly wrong, compelling the mercenaries to seek revenge for a comrade's murder. With the odds against them, Barney and his team are hell-bent on payback and cut a path of destruction through opposing forces, only to encounter an unexpected threat: six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium.
So which 80's star is in this one? Kellan Lutz, who? Ohh he played Emmett Cullen in the Twight Franchise. Glen Powell, who? Ohh, Im not sure who this is.
Anyways its a good movie, good action, good comedy and over a good time.
The Plot: Mercenary leader Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the Expendables team reunite when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) hires them for a seemingly easy job. But things go terribly wrong, compelling the mercenaries to seek revenge for a comrade's murder. With the odds against them, Barney and his team are hell-bent on payback and cut a path of destruction through opposing forces, only to encounter an unexpected threat: six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium.
So which 80's star is in this one? Kellan Lutz, who? Ohh he played Emmett Cullen in the Twight Franchise. Glen Powell, who? Ohh, Im not sure who this is.
Anyways its a good movie, good action, good comedy and over a good time.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated The Salvation (2015) in Movies
Jan 25, 2020
382. The Salvation. A bad-ass western featuring Mads Mikkelsen! Jon Jensen has been waiting for his wife and son to make their way to America during the 1870s. Jon has been there for a while building a life. And on the very day they arrive, they are murdered. Jon takes swift action and violently kills these two pieces of shit. Unfortunately, one of those pieces of shit has a big brother named Henry that pretty much runs the town through fear and taxes. So when Henry hears of his brothers murder, he wants his own revenge. And sure they go out and find Jon pretty easily and take him in. They quickly realize that a man with nothing to lose, is gonna fight back! Like I said Mads is awesome! Jeffrey Dean Morgan is great as the bad guy Henry. And Eva Green, sure she doesn't say one word in the movie, is freaking great! Like Westerns? This is one to check out!! Filmbufftim on FB
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Rambo: Last Blood (2019) in Movies
Feb 9, 2020
This is certainly very different in tone to the previous films and doesn’t really feel like a traditional Rambo film. It’s more of a formulaic action revenge film that borrows heavily from ‘Taken’ and unfortunately does nothing to dispel the Trumpian stereotype of a Mexico populated solely by violent criminals. So no it’s not a brilliant film by any means but it still certainly kept me entertained for 90 minutes with plenty of switch your brain off thrills. I’m a big fan of Stallone and I enjoyed his performance here and I couldn’t help but feel for Rambo as he has the tiny bit of happiness he’d manage to find taken away and is forced back into a world of death and violence. The violence when it comes is incredibly graphic and quite satisfying especially in the finale as Rambo dispatches with the bad guys on his booby trapped ranch. All in all though one of the weaker films in the series but still an enjoyable ride.